Journal of Petroleum & Environmental Biotechnology

Abstract

Biodiesel production from waste vegetable oil (Sunflower) obtained from fried chicken and plantain

Benard A Udehab

Waste sunflower oil sourced from fried chicken and plantain was used for biodiesel production in this study. During the transesterification process, 161 ml of ethanol containing 96% (v/v) was added to 250 ml of waste sunflower oil using NaOH as the catalyst at different concentrations (2.0% to 4.0%) and temperatures (45°C, 60°C, 70°C and 85°C). Biodiesel yield of 88.6% was obtained at the temperature of 70°C in 3.0% NaOH. Viscosity test at room temperature and specific gravity evaluation recorded 2.81 cm²s^-1 and 0.912 Kg/m³ respectively. The high energy density obtained from waste sunflower biodiesel blend is comparable with the hydrocarbon-based fossil fuel, an indication for smooth engine runs. This means that waste sunflower oil could be a veritable material for energy production as the alternative to greenhouse issues of fossil fuel diesel blend.